Military Cot Repair

[COEngineer]

I have a couple of old canvas and wood cots. 2 of the end bars have been broken over the years and I would like to replace them. I made one out of regular old pine, but it broke after a couple of uses. My next effort was to find replacements online, but I haven't found any at reasonable prices. Any ideas? If you suggest making some out of a tougher wood species, can I get something like that at a regular box store or what?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ZBB]

oak would probably work. They have that at Home Depot and Lowe’s. Just try and find a board with relatively straight grain.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Try closet rods,you may get 2 or 3 out of each.I believe they are oak.
I made some mini baseball bats out of them...just because.
I named mine "Justin"-just in case!

 

[CUElk]

My dad bought 3 at a yard sale, all broken. Got some 2 inch oak slabs from a saw mill, made pieces to fit in his wood shop. Good as new.

 

[SFC B]

Side question......do these hold sentimental value? I ask because after 21 years in the Army I stay as far away from those jokers as possible .....like torture on the rack!!

 

[1_pointer]

Unless you are sentimentally attached to them, I'd suggest the EZ cot from Byers. Great price, EASY to set up, and plenty comfortable.

Amazon.com: BYER OF MAINE Easy Cot, Extra Large, 78"L X 31"W X 18", Holds 330lbs, Easy to assemble, Ideal for guest bed, Camp Cots for Adults, Folding Cot, Cot for Sleeping, Comes with Travel Bag, Single: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: BYER OF MAINE Easy Cot, Extra Large, 78"L X 31"W X 18", Holds 330lbs, Easy to assemble, Ideal for guest bed, Camp Cots for Adults, Folding Cot, Cot for Sleeping, Comes with Travel Bag, Single: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[SFC B]

Unless you are sentimentally attached to them, I'd suggest the EZ cot from Byers. Great price, EASY to set up, and plenty comfortable.

Amazon.com: BYER OF MAINE Easy Cot, Extra Large, 78"L X 31"W X 18", Holds 330lbs, Easy to assemble, Ideal for guest bed, Camp Cots for Adults, Folding Cot, Cot for Sleeping, Comes with Travel Bag, Single: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: BYER OF MAINE Easy Cot, Extra Large, 78"L X 31"W X 18", Holds 330lbs, Easy to assemble, Ideal for guest bed, Camp Cots for Adults, Folding Cot, Cot for Sleeping, Comes with Travel Bag, Single: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Huge second on this one!! I have used one for 7 years now. VERY comfortable and easy to use.

 

[COEngineer]

Side question......do these hold sentimental value? I ask because after 21 years in the Army I stay as far away from those jokers as possible .....like torture on the rack!!

No, I'm just a cheap bastard. These are hand-me-downs that came from my wife's uncle who got them when the local National Guard unit was throwing them out.

I like the curtain rod idea.

 

[elkduds]

Does it have to be wood? My metal framed cot has ends that are 1" square channel. Also, leave about 5" extra past the hole on one end of each piece. Put the opposite hole on the frame and grab the extra 5" for leverage to stretch it tight, and snap it in place.

 

[tarheel]

Many shipping pallets are oak and the interior runners are of sufficient size to fabricate something if you can get the nails out.

A suggestion from one "cheap bastard" to another.